The absence of the “Forgot Passcode?” option for Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad can be due to three primary reasons:
Wrong Interface: This option won’t appear if you’re resetting settings or erasing data. It’s only available when you’re specifically changing the Screen Time passcode.Family Sharing or MDM Control: If your device is part of Family Sharing or managed by Mobile Device Management (MDM) and the Screen Time lock is set by the organizer, this option won’t be visible. You need to discuss it with the organizer for changes.Incompatible iOS Version or Device: The “Forgot Passcode?” option is unavailable if your device runs on an iOS version older than 13.4 or if your device is too old to support iOS 13.4 or later.
You can typically resolve it by following these steps.
1. Update iOS Version
If you’re not seeing the “Forgot Passcode” option on your iPhone for Screen Time, updating to the latest operating system may solve the problem. Many users have found that this option becomes available after an update. Here’s how you can update your iPhone:
2. Sign out of Apple ID and Back in
Sometimes, just signing out and then signing back into your Apple ID can help by refreshing your account settings and resolving the issue. Here’s a straightforward way to do it: After signing out, simply sign back in with your Apple ID.
3. Reset Screen Time Passcode via Mac
If you’re dealing with the missing “Forgot Screen Time passcode” option on your iPhone and you have the same Apple ID logged in on your Mac, you can reset the Screen Time passcode using your Mac. Here’s how to do it: Note: You can only reset the password for your iPhone from a Mac if you have the ‘Share Across Devices‘ feature enabled. The new passcode will automatically be updated on all devices linked through this setting.
4. Use a Third-Party iOS Problem-Solving Software
If you can’t change your Screen Time passcode because the ‘forgot passcode’ option isn’t available, you can turn to third-party software solutions. These tools are designed to help you bypass or reset the Screen Time passcode without needing the original code. Some of the best tools for this purpose are: To reset your Screen Time passcode using third-party software, first install reliable software on your computer. Open it and select the Screen Time passcode removal option. Connect your device to the computer, follow the instructions to remove the passcode, possibly disabling ‘Find My iPhone‘ if prompted. Once the process completes and your device restarts, you can set a new Screen Time passcode. Remember, while these steps are general and apply to most third-party unlocking software, it’s crucial to follow the specific instructions provided by the software you choose to use. Always ensure that the software is from a reliable and trustworthy source to avoid any security risks.
5. Ask the Family Organizer
If your Apple ID is linked as a child account within an Apple Family group, you won’t have access to the “Forgot Passcode” option for Screen Time on your iPhone. This is because the ability to remove or change the passcode is reserved for the family organizer. For family organizers looking to remove or modify the Screen Time passcode for a child account, the process is straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:
6. Reset All Settings on the iPhone
If none of the previous solutions work, your last option is to reset all settings on your iPhone. Unlike a factory reset, this process won’t lead to any loss of your data. It simply reverts all settings to their default state. Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone:
7. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above solutions work, your final step is to contact Apple Support. They possess extensive knowledge of iOS devices and can guide you in recovering or resetting your Screen Time passcode. Be prepared to provide details about your device, such as the model and operating system version, to assist them better.
